Sandalwood Taylor of Old Bond Street Cologne

It is indeed a challenge, the "Sandalwood Cologne." It took three tests before I felt I could do it justice when writing about it. It seemed heavy-warm-overwhelming to me during the first test, herb-soapy-clean-fresh during the second. By the third spray, everything comes together, and I realize that I am dealing with a true heavyweight. Gentleman - it seems - is not made in a day (even if the author nods to "Landlord").

The development unfolds very subtly; top, heart, and base are by no means distinctly separable. The namesake sandalwood is the prominent tone throughout all phases, with citrus undertones in the very first opening, herbaceous undertones in the second impression, then surrounded by slightly floral-warm notes, later interspersed with heavier, sweet-leathery to tobacco-like hints. An olfactory complexity that envelops the gentleman, as if he were emanating a quite pronounced sillage directly from his skin.

And that is indeed what is fascinating about "Sandalwood Cologne": It is light and heavy at the same time, fresh and dark, without appearing either clean or sordid. It combines British understatement with a certain dandyish delight in eccentricity.

I am glad to have shown it the necessary patience (which, by the way, it also rewards with long-lasting wear). Even if this leads to my wish list being expanded by one fragrance. But that is bearable. Because surprisingly, its price is not so "luxury." But who in "our circles" talks about money...?